Gas-operated rifle.



No. 818,920. PATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

' M. 1?. SMITH. I

GAS OPERATED RIFLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30, 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES PATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

M. F. SMITH. GAS OPERATED RIFLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30, 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Pill/4% WITNESSES PATENTED APR. 24,-.1906. M'. F. SMITH. GAS OPERATED RIFLE. APIFLIOATION FILED JAN. 30, 1904 7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED APR: 24,1906. M., P. SMITH. I GAS OPERATED RIFLE. APPLIOATIONTILED IAN.30,1904.

7 BTssHEET 4,

1/, INVENTOR.

ORNEYJI PATEN-TED' AP R..'24. 1906.

- INVENTOR.

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. v aQ. w kw R-SMITH. GAS OPERATED RIFLE. APP I IOATION FILED JAN. 30, 1994.

mm kw fi qw X $1 WITNESSES.-

No. 818,920. PATEN'IED APR. 24, 1906.

M. F. swim. GAS OPERATED RIFLEV APPLIOATIOH FILED JAN. 30, 1904.

7 sums-sum 6.

v i ii INVENTOR. I

. A TTORNE YJ.

1| llll mn PATENTED APR. 24,1906.

M. P. SMITH. GAS OPERATED RIFLE.

APPLICATION IILEDIAN. 30, 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

WHQ mull w w ll mm ILill W Emil-L "I ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MoRRIsF. SMITH, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNoR 0F THREE-FQURTHS T0 WILLIAM D.COND1T, or DES MoINEs,-IoWA.

GAS-OPERATED RIFLE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application mammar 50,1904. Serial No. 191.328.

Patented April 24, 1906.

' with the so-called fore-arm action, and in the rifle selected to illustrate my invention I have shown the fore-arm action as an auxiliary means for operating the breech mechanism for such purposes as initial loading.

.with t One feature of my present invention relates to a novel construction of breech closure, another feature to a novel construction of tri ger mechanism and its combination he breech mechanism. I I A further feature relates to the combina tion with the peculiar form of breech mechanism'of a gas-operated drive-rod, and still another feature relates to the combination of a dash-pot acting directly upon the gas-operated driveirod and the peculiar form of breech mechanism whereby the movement of the rod is arrested at its rearward limit.

Other features will hereinafter be pointed out.

My invention will be fully understood upon reference to the aecompan 'ng drawings, which represent the several f e atures of novelty embodied in a rifle of sporting ty e.

In the drawings, Fi e 1 is a si e elevation of the rifle on a re uced scale. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the receiver portion of the rifle on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a vertical lon 'tudinal section of..the part shown in Fig. 2 WIth the receiver opened and the magazinefeed in the position of resentin for insertion into the c hamber, ut one cartrid e being shown in the magazine in order to ustrate the range of movement of the cartridge-feeding device. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fi 3, exce t that a cartridge is in place in the'c amber, t e breech-bolt is closed, the firinglpin cooked, and the magazine supplied cartridges. to Fig. 4 with the parts in the position which theyoccupy immediately after firing and be- I Fig. 13.

a cartridge 0 Fig. 5 is aview similar.

fore the receiver has been opened to throw out the spent shell. Fig.- 6 is a section on the line 6 b, Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a section on line 7 7, Fig. 4. Flg. 8 is a section on the line 8 8, Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9 9, Fig. 4'. Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10' 10, Fig. 13. Flg. 11 is a section on the line 11 11, Fig. 5. Fi 12 is a section on the line 12 12, ig. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section of the portion of the rifle immediately in front of that shown in 2 to 5. Fig. 14 is a vertical longitudinal section of the forward end of the gun. Figs. 15 to 19 represent the breech-locking mechanism, Fig. 15 beingahorizontal section throu hthe breechbolt and its cooperative parts, i 16 being a side elevation of the same with the locking- 7o wings in unlocked position, Fig. 17 being a .view similar to Fig. 16 with a ortion of the I receiver shown in section an the lockin moved into locking relation therewith, and igs. 18 and 19 being a side elevation and 7 5 an edge view, respectively, of one of the locking-wings. Figs. 20 and 21,res ectivley, are sectional and plan views of t e driverod ip. Fig. 22 is a detail view of a portion of t e lock that holds the receiver 2 and frame 3' together. Fig. 23 is apers ective view showing the bottom of the breec -bolt. Fig. 24 is a vertical section of the frame 3 with all movable 1 parts removed. Fig. 25 is a top lan view 0 the framev 3 to show a ortion 0 the lock that holds .the frame 3 an receiver 2 together. Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a portion of the drive-rod.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, 1 represents the barrel, which, with the receiver 2, is reniov- 9o ably secured to the front end of the frame 3 by the undercut 4, which forms a ivotal connection between the parts, (see ig. 2,) while the rabbet and to'n 'e-and-groove connection 4 prevents a re ative lateral move- 5 inent between the parts when assembled. The bolt 5 is provided with a bar 6, which overlaps ortions 6 oneach side, of thereceiver an passes into recesses 6' in the lugs 6 on the frame, said bolt being pressed into 10' its operation.

rocate in the receiver 2 and carries a suitable extractor 12. The breech-boltis provided with a central bore 13, in which is fitted a tubular firin -pin 14, containing a projectin spring 15, w 'ch is sustained at its rear end by a lug 16, removably fitted in the rear end 0? the breech-bolt bore by'means of a bayonet-joint 17, and secured against turnin b a pin 18, inserted through the breechbodt, Fig. '8. Plug 16 carries a centering-pin 19 for spring 15.

20 represents a pivoted sear having a shouldered engagin end 20', which receives a projection 21 on t e under side of the firing-pin, said sear being held upward b spring 20, mounted in a sear-lock 20, oosely trunnioned beneath the sear by means of trunnions 20, working in slots 20 in the frame. This sear-lock is adapted to be moved upwardl by hand when the sear is engaged with t e projection 21 on the firing-pm and is provided with a shoulder 20 on each side which is when moved upwardly forced by the spring 20 in front of the sear-lock onto rests 20 on the frame and prevents the movement of the sear by the trigger. The shape of the firing-pin, together with projection 21, prevents the pin om turning in the breech-bolt.

The sear 20 has a shoulder 22.to provide an engaging portion for the trigger 23, which is mounted on a pivot 24 by a slot 25 and held by a spring 26 normal] forward on its ivot in position to engage t e sear. -A pro ection 27 on the upper-face of the trigger stands in position to receive, as the breechbolt recedes, a shoulder 28 on the lower face of the breechbolt, which moves the trigger rearwardly out of engagement with the sear to release the latter. By this means the sear is permitted to rengage the firing-pin when the breech-bolt is operated automatically. Shoulder 28 is grooved at 28 to permit'the engaging-end 20 of the sear to be assed by said shoulder without engaging t erewith,

- the sear being provided with a groove 20 on each side for this purpose.

29 represents a spring for engagement with the trigger at one side of its pivot to return the lower end of the trigger to a place to be gras ed. i

' en the sear is locked against movement, it is possible to move the triggerWithout operating said sear, owing tothe fact that the tri er will move on its fulcrum away from t e sear. This prevents any breaka e to the trigger mechanism when the gun is handled by a person unfamiliar with To look the it is provided with bell-crank locking-wings 30, symmetrically disposed in recesses 3.0

' on opposite sides of the breech-bolt and setrunnions 31 near the forward end of the said breech-bolt and by cure y fulcrumed by breech-bolt in closed position,

naves or bosses 32, fitting in seats 32, in the sidesof the breech-bolt and concentric with the trunnions. The naves or bosses 32 have tapered'uplpei' ends, as shown in dotted lines, Fi 3 an 16, and e e with the forward en of the ribs on the si es of the firing-pin when the wings are moved to unlocking ositi'on. Thesewi-ngs are provided with s oulders which contact with shoulders 30 on the breech-bolt, whereby their upwar movement is limited. As will be seen more clearly in Figs. '7, 8, 9, 16, and 17 the breechbolt has an' enlar ed up er portion 33, confined between slizfe-trac 34 and the top of the receiver, and reduced lower portions 35 extending between the tracks to guide the breech-bolt in its movement. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the locking: have corres onding upper enlarged portlons 36 and re uced depending lower ortions 40, which lie in the same vertical anes as the corres onding portions of the reech-bolt. t e wings swing u wardly, the enlarged portion 36 forms, wit the enlarged vortion 33 of the breech-bolt, vertically and laterally presented guiding-faces; but when swung When wings move into engagement with the fixed shoulders '39, Figs. 6 and 17, formed on the side walls of the receiver and securely lock the breech-bolt in closed position. Obviousl the shoulders 39 could be multiplied on eac side, corres onding recesses being formed in the enlar e5 portions of the wings to receive them an to provide cotiperating interlocking shoulders on said As shown in Figs. 15. to 19, undercuts or ten e-andgroove connections 36 are formed etween the rear ends of the and the breechbolt to guide said rear ends in their swinging vmovement and prevent the wings spreading. The unlocked and locked positions of the wings are shown in Fi 16 and 17. To operate the wings, the re uced depending lower, portions 40 have jointed connections 41 with the res ective arms 42 of the bifurcated rear end *0 a drive-rod 43. By the rearward IIO enlar ed portions 36 coincide with the enlarge portion 33 of the breech-bolt 11, when the shoulders 30 will contact with the shoulders 30 and the breech-bolt free to move rearward and has such movement imparted to it by the continued thrust of the drive-rod -43 after the swinging movement of the wings is arrested.

D the rearwardand forward movements 0 the drive-rod the or trunnion action of the wings is prevent efiby their e agement between the guiding-tracks 34 831% shoulders 30" and 30. the breech-bolt moves forward until it seats ainst the breech end of the barrel, when t e lugs on' the wings are freed from the tracks pec 'ar advantage with the of locking means employe 34 and can reach their seats in front of the fixed shoulders 39 under 'the final portion of the forward movement of the drivee rod.

The drive-rod 43 is preferably gas-actuated by a suitable construction of piston 44, work-,- ing in cylinder 45, moved rearward by-pres-' the piston 44, and said member 44 is movable axially relatively to the main portion of the drive-rod. An additional spring 44" is provided between. the two members of the drive-rod to act as a cushion. The returnspring 46 acts on the drive-rod, which in turn acts on the breech-bolt-locking means to hold the breech-bolt in closed or firing position when the receiver and the stock are separated, thereby holdin the parts of the n in position so that t ey may be assemb ed quickly.

A as-actuated drive-rod is'combined with articularv form herein. The first shock of the gas-pressure is received by the fixed shoulders through the wings, and the first part'of the drive-rods movement is utilized in swin ing the wings, so that when a the breech-bolt egins to move the shock has been somewhat tempered, and durin the continued movement of the drive-r0 the thrust is imparted largely to the top of the receiver, which further tempers the shock on the parts.

The drive-rod may be actuated by hand for initial loading or for opening the breech through means 0 the grip 47 ,held'normally forward by latch 48, pivoted in one sideof the grip and engaging within a slot in the casing 48*, which surrounds the members 42 and ot eroperative parts of the gun. The latch. 48 is readily releasable, so thatthe .grip,

which has a shoulder 49 to engage the yoke 50 of the drive-rod, may carry the yoke back to the rear limit and the grip being then permitted to move forward to introduce a char e from the magazine, or the grip may be he d back until a single charge is inserted through the ejecting-recess '51. The members 42 of the drive-rod are secured to the yoke 50 by means of rabbet-joints 50 at the ends of the members 42, and lugs 50 on each side of the yoke 50 over said lugs fitting notches 50 on the under side of the members 42. A bolt 50 provides an elongated head.50, which fits at each end in a notch 50 in the u per side of the members 42. The bolt 5O is held against movement by the rear end of the forward member ofthe drive-rod 43, which fits, after being screwed at 50. into the head 50, into an opening in said bolt.

, upon t Located directly in the path of the yoke 50 of the drive-rod is adash-pot com rising the cup'52, formed in said yoke 50, an the plunger 53, secured to the front end of the receiver and'entering said cup 52 as the drive-rod .reachesthe-rear limit of its movements. This dash-pot, while not claimed e1 se in my present ap lication, being broa y claimed in my copen ng application, Serial No. 182,682,

has a special advantage when used in combination with bell-crank wings, inasmuch as its action in adually arresting the drive-rod and retarding the breech-bolt through its action in holding back on the wings at the end tion assumed during orward movement by the time the rearward movement is comof the stroke, sets the arts in their new relapleted and prevents hammering and jerk movements/which would result from too'su .den'reversal of the parts under the action of the. return-spring.

For feeding cartridges I use substantially .the same spring-pressed lever 54 and close with the firingin, and connections between" the trigger an the breech-bolt for moving the trigger out of engagement with the sear I e movement of the breech-bolt.

' 2. The combination with the reciprocatin breech-bolt, afiringin carried' thereby an a pivoted sear for ho din the firing-pin in firing position, of a trigger or engagement with the sear, and a connection between the reci rocating bolt and the trigger for moving tiie trigger out of engagement with the scar on the movement of the bolt. 7'

' 3. The combination with the reciprocating breech-bolt, a firin -pin carried thereby, and a sear for holding t e pin against movement, of'a trigger for engagement with the sear, con-.

nection between the trigger and the part on whichit is mounted comprising a pivot on one art and a slot in the other, a spring for holding the trigger in engagement with the sear, and connection between the breech-bolt and the trigger for moving the trigger out of engagement with the sear.

4. The combination with the reciprocatin breech-bolt, a firin -pin carried thereby, an a sear forholding t e pin against movement, of a trigger for engagement with the sear, connection etween the trigger and the part'on which it is mounted comprising a pivot on one part and a 'slot in the other, a spring for too holding the trigger in engagement'with the sear, and means for locking thesear againstmovement.

5. In a gun, the combination with the rearwardly movable breech bolt, a firingpin, and a scar, of'a-trigger having connection with the sear for moving the sear out of en agement with the firing-pin, connectionshetween the breech-bolt and the trigger for breaking the connection of the triggerwith the sear when the breech-bolt moves rearwardly, and a lock-for the sear; said trigger being movable out ofconnection with the sear when 'the trigger is pulled while the sear is locked.

6. In a gun, the combination with the rear- 'wardly-movable breech-bolt provided with guide-faces on opposite sides thereof, of'a pair of-locking-dogs symmetricall arranged, on opposite sides of the breech-b0 t and pro-- vided with guide-faces which aline with the guides on the breech-bolt, and a single drivefurcated at one end and having each member connected to one of the locking-dogs. 8. In a gun, the combination with the rearwardly-movable breech-bolt having enlarged longitudinal guiding ortionson its opposite sides, of a air of 160 'ng-dogs symmetrically arrang on opposite sides of the breech-bolt and provided with enlarged guiding portions, adapted, when the dogs are in unlocking position, to aline with the enlarged guiding portions on the breech-bolt.

9. Ina gun, the combination with the frame ha thereof, of a arrel and a receiver separably connected to the forward end of the frame by an undercut, recessed lugs on the inside of the receiver, a ,rabbet connection between the receiver and the frame, a sliding bolt po-.

sitioned in the recess and adapted to engage the recessed lugs to hold the receiver to the frame. v v

10. In a gun, the combination of a frame and a receiver adapted to swing on the for ward end of the frame, one of said partsbe ing'provided with a recess opening at the rear of the gun, and a bolt positioned in the recess operative through the rear opening of said recess and adaptedtoengage the other part on both sides 0 the gun. 11. In a-gun, the combination with a breech-bolt, of .a drive-rod connected with a recess opening in the rearthe breech-bolt and comprising a yoke, a pair of-end members havin a tongwie-and-groove connection with the yo e, and means for locking the end members in the oke.

. 12. In a gun, the com ination with a breech-bolt, of a drive-rod connected with the breech-bolt and comprising a yoke, a pair of end members .havin a tongue-and-groove connection with the yo 6,, a single bolt for securing the endmembers to the yoke, and a forward member engaging the single bolt to hold it against movement.

' 13. In a gun, the combination with a breech-bolt, of a drive rod connected to the breechbolt and comprising a yoke, a pair of end members having a tongue-and-groove connection with the yoke and notched on their upper edges, a bolt provided with a head fitted into the notches in both end members, and a forward member fitted into the yoke and engaging the bolt.

14. In a gun, the combination with the breech-bolt and a track on which the breechbolt travels, of a pair of pivoted locking and guiding wings carried by the breech-bolt on op osite sides and movable out of the breechbo ttrack to lock the bolt and into the breechbolt track to unlock the bolt and travel there with, and a drive rOd bifurcated at its rear end and having each member thereof connected with one of the wings to control the said wings.

15. In a gun, the combination of the stock carrying the trigger, the sear and the magazine, and the receiver separable from the stock and carr ing the barrel, the breechbolt, breech-bolt-locking means, the gas-operated drive-rod connected with the breechbolt-locking means and a return spring acting on the gas-operated drive-rod to hold the breech-bolt in firing position within the receiver when the receiver and the stock are separated.

.16. The combination with the breech-bolt and the firing-pin carried thereby, of a pair of locking-wings mounted on opposite sides'of the breech-bolt and carrying lugs engaging the firing-pin on opposite sides to move the rearwardly within the bolt when the .win

are moved to unlocking osition. T e foregoing specification signed this 14th 1 day of- January, 1904.

MORRIS F. SMITH.

I In presence of FRANCIS O. ADLER,

JAMES WARNOCK. 

